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The complete works of John Gower, volume 4 cover

The complete works of John Gower, volume 4

Chapter 42: FOOTNOTES:
By John Gower
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British LiteratureClassics of LiteraturePoetry

About This Book

A collected volume of Latin compositions by a medieval poet, assembling epistolary verse, a three-part chronicle, occasional poems on moral corruption and pestilence, a learned tract concerning light and its scrutiny, and several late short pieces. An extended introduction assesses the sparse biographical records and manuscript history, while generous notes and glossaries provide textual commentary and vocabulary aid. The writings alternate didactic moral and theological reflection with historical observation and occasional lyrical moments, presenting a range of forms and registers intended for both instruction and contemplative reading.

812Vnanimes esse qui secula duxit ad esse
Nos iubet expresse, quia debet amor superesse;
Lex cum iure datur, pax gaudet, plebs gratulatur,
Regnum firmatur, vbi verus amor dominatur:
Sicut yemps florem, diuisio quassat amorem,813
Nutrit et errorem quasi pestis agitque dolorem.
Quod precessit heri docet ista pericla timeri,
Vt discant veri sapientes secla mederi.
Filius ipse dei, manet in quo spes requiei,814
Ex meritis fidei dirigat acta rei.10

Diligamus invicem.

815Presul, ouile regis, vbi morbus adest macularum,
Nota de primordiis Stelle Comate in Anglia.
Lumina dumque tegis, tenebrescit pestis earum.
Mune pericla gregis, patuit quia stella minarum,
Vnde viam Regis turbat genus insidiarum.
Velle loco legis mundum nunc ducit auarum,
Sic vbicumque legis, nichil est nisi cordis amarum,
Quod maneat clarum, stat modo dulce parum.
Cultor in ecclesia qui deficiente sophia
Semina vana serit, Messor inanis erit.
Hii set cultores, sunt quorum semina mores
Ad messem Cristi, plura lucrantur ibi.816
Qui cupit ergo bonus celorum lucra colonus,
Vnde lucrum querat, semina sancta serat.
Qui pastor Cristi iusto cupit ordine sisti,
Non sit cum Cristo Symon mediator in isto:
Querat pasturam Pastor sine crimine puram,
Nam nimis est vile, pascat si Symon ouile.10
Per loca deserta, quo nulla patet via certa,
Symon oues ducit, quas Cristo raro reducit.
Dicunt scripture memorare nouissima vite;
Nota contra mortuorum executores.817
Pauper ab hoc mundo transiet omnis homo.
Dat fortuna status varios, natura set omnes
Fine suo claudit, cunctaque morte rapit.
Post mortem pauci, qui nunc reputantur amici,
Sunt memores anime, sis memor ergo tue:
Da, dum tempus habes, tibi propria sit manus heres;818
Auferet hoc nemo, quod dabis ipse deo.

FOOTNOTES:

812 ‘Vnanimes esse’ &c. This and the three remaining pieces are found in CHG, and, except the second, also in E
813 5 margin Nota pro amore E
814 9 ipse] ille E Diligamus invicem om. E
815 ‘Presul’ &c. 1 Regis MSS.
816 ‘Cultor in ecclesia’ &c. 4 ff. margin Nota quid pastores ecclesie debent esse et quomodo debent intrare &c. E
817 ‘Dicunt scripture’ &c. 2 ff. margin Nota—executores] Nota quod bonum est vnicuique esse executor sui ipsius E
818 7 Dum tua tempus habes EH